One Producer's Reflections

 

 

 

My Almost Fall Comedy Show at The Artist on City Island was a different kind of night.  For the first time in a few years, my buddy was not going to be in NYC on the night of the show and couldn’t drive me.  I had to take 3 buses.  The weather was nice, and I knew it was do-able.  I’ve done it before.  The first bus was right there when I needed it.  The second bus was not much of a wait.  But the third bus was the problem.  The good part was I saw one of my comics, Shelly Colman, at the bus stop.  So we waited together and complained to each other.  Though the bus stop was populated with humans, a rat kept running out there to drink liquid from the gutter.  I was fucking freaking.

 

Shelly used her smart phone to get the number of The Artist and connected me, so I was able to let them know why we were late.  I was assured they would tell everybody.  That eased some of my anxiety.

 

The BX29 bus came a half hour after it was scheduled.  Shelly and I ended up sitting behind a loud man who was on his phone and seemed to be unaware that he was on a bus.  That was a comedy show in itself.

 

With presidential campaigning going on, I probably shouldn’t have referenced Trump.  Another comic probably shouldn’t have put down Harris.  He felt it as a Kamala room; I felt it as a Trump-y room.  This time, it was certainly a challenging room.  Another friend of mine suggested that I may have been off, in a way, due to being late and that the audience might have picked up on that.  There are many factors, I suppose, some below the surface and harder to see.

 

Flash Rosenberg treated us to a different kind of performance.  Her set was thought-provoking, clever, humorous, and difficult to categorize.  She embraced the opportunity to be on stage again doing her thing, after a long time.  I was happy to experience her.  Flash also brought a good quality camera and gave us nice photos and videos.  She made my trip home delightful.  A smooth Lyft ride as opposed to 3 buses, the final one being in an unsafe area.  I met Flash through the NYC poetry circles several years ago, and we liked each other early on.  I’ve since learned so much more about her many talents and accomplishments.

 

TJ Meyers, besides his hilarity, brought many family members and friends which I appreciate so much.  He does some bits that crack me up even if I’ve heard them before.  Shelly traveled from Brooklyn and was her usual hilarious self.  I’ve enjoyed her humor since I first heard her at Lisa Harmon’s comedy open mic, Lisa’s Clubhouse, years ago. 

 

Each performer’s material is so wonderfully different, which is one of the things I love about booking the show.  I equally love watching the show.

 

My Almost Winter Comedy Show at The Artist will be December 20^th at 8pm, and I hope you’ll be there. 

 

The place is run by Elliot Glick and Monica Glick.  I appreciate both of them so much for the human beings they are.  And they welcome the show so whole-heartedly.

 

My show there has been scheduled seasonally, but that might increase.  Stay tuned.

 

 

So much love to CGG-M  ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

September 2024

 

 

 

 

Hilarity From the East Village to City Island in The Bronx!

 

 

 

The fundraiser comedy show on September 5^th was grrrrreat!  It was well attended and very enjoyed.  Amongst the almost full house, were seven of my guests, and I was so thrilled.  My long-time friend Judy (4 decades and some years), two of my favorite former co-workers when I worked the graveyard shift as a proofreader, Lia and Cicely, a friend and former co-worker from a teaching job, Mindy L, a co-actress and new friend from A Sketch of Pride, Laura, a co-background-actor from a gig, Lazare, and Lazare brought a lovely guest. I was very happily surprised by some who I didn’t know were coming.  Lazare used one of my phrases from my comedy when we spoke after the show, and he absolutely cracked me up.  And the way his guest, a young, beautiful woman, was thanking me, I felt pretty sure it wasn’t about the laughs as much as a feeling of empowerment.  (My ex-husband once told me, “No matter what you do, it always ends up being social work.”)

$255 in ticket sales was raised and sent to Act Blue by Paul Hallasy, the producer of the Eat Drink Laugh show at Pangea (NYC).

I not only enjoyed performing, I very much enjoyed watching.  The funny people photographed:                           

 

        A few days later, I felt sick.  I don’t know where I caught something or if I made anyone else sick.  I hope not.  I didn’t have home tests to check for Covid, but I kept sniffing my tea and my armpits and could still smell things.  So I hoped it was just a bad cold.  It’s lasted nine days.  I’ve had Covid twice before, and this didn’t feel like that.  Thank God/dess, I feel much better now though not 100% yet but getting there.

 

While the weather is still so nice, come on out to enjoy City Island this Friday, 9/20/2024.  Spend the day if possible.  You can walk the island and check out the unique shops, eat seafood or other options, feed the seagulls if that feels good to you, and then come to The Artist (249 City Island Avenue) by 8pm for hilarious comedy and delicious desserts. Tickets can be bought in advance here:

 

https://starvingartistci.square.site/product/friday-september-20-8-pm-almost-fall-comedy-night/121?cs=true&cst=custom&fbclid=IwY2xjawFXPQhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSuOX8MhjqkwPrJm2WDGF-g2S-3QpWAGqEGjFvgwpRtZT_YAghi7qLYJyw_aem_R3x3Zm-9_RRiRztSPXRvgQ

 

This show is only $15 cover and NO minimum!  You may even BYOB!  Light fare and delicious desserts by https://www.facebook.com/JennysSweetsSA  available for purchase, but not required … though very tempting.

 

249 City Island Avenue

Flier by Flash Rosenberg

I hope to see ya.  Laughter absolutely guaranteed.

So much love to CGG-M  ❤💕❤

Mindy Matijasevic

September 2024

Getting Paid; Not Getting Paid; Donating to Save the USA

 

 

 

Hi folks.  As an actress, I’ve been going for paid work even if it is background work.  I need money.  One job I did that wasn’t paying much hasn’t paid at all.  I’ve been pursuing them and would hate to have to go to small claims court, but I will if I have to because I wasn’t volunteering my time.  If I’m going to volunteer anywhere, it would be for a shelter (for un-homed people or animals).  Another background gig that was paying more than 3 times that amount promised to pay on the same day in a check.  They paid us the same day in CASH!  That kept me going for almost a week.  As far as the one that didn’t pay yet, I’ve imagined myself on Judge Judy.  I have documentation.  She’d be done with us in 3 minutes. 

 

 

People who act like this either don’t realize or just don’t care that the money for me means groceries and being able to afford the laundromat.  It’s not a joke.

 

But speaking of jokes and much laughter, I’m in a fundraiser comedy show this Thursday at 9pm at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue, NYC.  It’s the Eat Drink Laugh show produced by Paul Hallasy.  All ticket sales will be donated to Kamala’s campaign.  (Separately, Pangea has a $20 minimum – food and/or drink.)  Food is very good.  Laughter is guaranteed.  There will be about 10 comics performing.  Advance tickets are less costly than paying at the show.  

Advance tickets

 

 

         Then on September 20^th, I’m having my Almost Fall Comedy Show at The Artist on City Island at 8pm.  Mark your calendars.  Details in the next blog …

 

 

 

Tremendous love to CGG-M  💕 ❤ 💕

Mindy Matijasevic

September 3, 2024